Solving Openreach's PIA ‍Compliance Challenges with AI

Openreach's Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) is critical in the UK's telco sector, with many Altnets relying on PIA to cut costs and optimise roll-outs. By enabling communication providers (CPs) to utilise Openreach's network infrastructure, PIA fosters competition and innovation within the telecom industry.  

However, PIA's importance comes with its' fair share of technical challenges. From inaccurate photo submissions due to human error to work not being completed to the required standard – photo rejections can lead to time-consuming rework, increased costs, roll-outs and payment delays. However, Inveniam has a solution to this problem.

Openreach's PIA — an overview

Thousands of PIA notices and reports are submitted to Openreach every month. PIA has become an indispensable resource for communication providers seeking to expedite network deployments and manage costs through shared networks. It provides infrastructure access to alternative broadband network providers, or Altnets, enabling them to leverage Openreach’s extensive network infrastructure, accelerating network expansion. 

Compliance process — why visual data is required

To demonstrate work has been completed to the required standard, Openreach requests CPs to share pictures for two processes – Notices of Intent (NoI) and Network Adjustments. Network Adjustments are required if any problems with Openreach's infrastructure are discovered, such as network blockages. In this case, Openreach can be asked to solve the issue, or the CP can self-provide the Network Adjustment using form A55. Openreach will require both the A55 form and A55b civil evidence report, along with photographic evidence.  

Openreach also requires photographic evidence at the build completion phase of the NoI. These images must show equipment installed by the communication provider either in shared ducts and chambers or on poles, of which there are over 4M for use across the UK. Openreach mandates that high-quality, clear, precise and accurate photographic proof is shared with them within five days of finishing the work. Openreach then uses these photos to:

Example photo requirements for PIA

PIA compliance challenges

• Errors in photo submissions – contractors responsible for network construction and those forwarding submissions to Openreach need to ensure both the work completed and photos taken are compliant with Openreach standards. Photos are often rejected for either failing to meet the standard photo conformity requirements such as lighting and image size, or failing to complete the job to the required standard, such as ensuring the label ties are secured correctly.  
• Rework and delays – these errors can result in costly rework for Altnets, wasted resources, and stall the process at the network adjustment stage. Errors found in the submitted photos lead to laborious rework. Delays in correcting issues can postpone the deployment of CP services and hinder the roll-out of the new network footprint. Moreover, failure to achieve Right First Time (RFT) operations can extend project timelines and increase operational costs.  
• Photographic evidence checks – Openreach requires strict photographic evidence checks to ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards. These checks include precise technical inspections of equipment, cable connections, chamber sizes, and adherence to established guidelines. The technical accuracy required for these checks adds complexity to the process.  
• Automating processes – automating the process is a key challenge communication providers want to solve by utilising AI technology. There are now several PIA-related applications in the market to support the process of raising NoIs, preparing build completion, or SPO reports.  However, CPs are not yet using tools to automate the review of photos which is still very much a manual, labour-intensive process today, with CPs often only reviewing a small sample of photos before they are submitted to Openreach.

The role of computer vision